19 August 2026
If you are wondering, “should I wax before or after tanning?”, the answer is to wax first. Ideally, leave at least 24 to 48 hours between your wax and a spray tan or self-tan application. This gives temporary redness time to settle and helps the tan develop more evenly.
Waxing after a tan can remove some of the colour along with the surface skin cells, leaving lighter areas or an uneven finish. Having both treatments too close together can also mean applying tanning solution to skin that is still sensitive from waxing.
Here is how to arrange your appointments, prepare your skin and avoid common mistakes.
Should I wax before or after tanning?
You should wax before tanning, whether you are having a professional spray tan or applying self-tan at home.
Waxing removes hair from the root, but it also lifts some dead cells from the surface of the skin. If you wax after tanning, the treated area may lose more colour than the surrounding skin. The result can look patchy, streaked or noticeably lighter.
Waxing first also creates a smoother surface for the tanning product. However, the skin needs time to settle before tan is applied. Freshly waxed skin can look red, feel warm or show small temporary bumps around the follicles.
A sensible order is:
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Exfoliate gently before waxing
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Have your waxing treatment
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Allow at least 24 to 48 hours for the skin to settle
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Have your spray tan or apply self-tan
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Follow the recommended development and rinse instructions
At Therapy Hair Body & Nails, we recommend waxing a day or two before a professional St Tropez spray tan in Canterbury.
How long should you wait between waxing and a spray tan?
Leave at least 24 hours, and preferably up to 48 hours if your skin is sensitive or normally remains red after waxing.
There is no single waiting time that suits every person. The right gap depends on:
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The area waxed
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Your skin’s usual response
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Whether this is your first wax
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How much redness or sensitivity develops
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The type of wax used
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Any other treatments or products used on the skin
If your skin is still red, hot, tender or visibly irritated when your spray tan is due, it has not fully settled. Contact the salon for advice rather than covering irritated skin with tanning solution.
A longer gap may also be appropriate after an intimate, full-leg or first-time wax. Someone who waxes regularly and experiences very little reaction may find that 24 hours is sufficient.
The aim is not merely to wait for a fixed number of hours. It is to apply the tan when the skin looks and feels calm.
Why can tanning immediately after waxing cause problems?
Waxing temporarily leaves the skin more sensitive. Applying tanning solution immediately afterwards may lead to an uneven result or unnecessary discomfort.
Tan can collect around the follicles
Immediately after waxing, follicles may appear more visible. Tanning solution can settle into these areas, creating small dark dots or a speckled appearance.
This does not happen to everyone, but leaving time between treatments reduces the risk.
Freshly waxed skin may be sensitive
Fragrance and other ingredients in tanning products may feel uncomfortable on recently waxed skin. Even products that normally suit you can sting or irritate an area that has just been treated.
The finish may become uneven
A good spray tan depends on a reasonably smooth, dry and evenly prepared surface. Redness, residual wax, rich aftercare products or inflammation may all affect how the tanning solution sits on the skin.
Waiting until the skin has calmed gives your therapist a better surface to work with.
What happens if you wax after a spray tan?
Waxing after a spray tan is likely to remove colour from the treated area.
Sunless tanning products colour the outermost layers of the skin. Waxing lifts hair and some surface skin cells, so the waxed section may become lighter than the rest of your body.
For example, waxing your lower legs after a full-body spray tan could leave a visible difference between the lower and upper legs. Facial waxing may create a lighter area around the brows, lip or chin.
If you have already tanned and then realise you need to wax, it may be better to wait until the colour has faded and begin again. Trying to correct individual pale areas with more product can sometimes make the finish less even.
If timing is important for a wedding, holiday or event, ask the salon to help plan your waxing treatment and spray tan in the correct order.
What if you have already waxed and your spray tan is today?
First, look at how your skin has responded.
If the area appears calm and at least 24 hours have passed, the treatment may be able to go ahead. Follow the advice of your spray-tan therapist, who can assess the visible skin and discuss your normal sensitivity.
If the skin is still red, sore, hot or bumpy, postponing the tan is usually the more sensible choice. Applying a cosmetic product simply because the appointment is booked is not worth risking irritation or an obviously uneven result.
Do not try to force the skin to settle by:
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Scrubbing it
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Applying strong acids or exfoliants
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Using perfumed products
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Taking a very hot shower
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Covering the area with heavy oils
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Picking at bumps around the follicles
Keep the area clean, cool and comfortable, and follow your waxing aftercare.
Can you shave before a spray tan instead?
If you prefer shaving, do it before tanning rather than afterwards. Therapy recommends shaving or waxing at least 24 hours before a spray-tan appointment.
Shaving also removes some cells from the surface of the skin. Shaving after tanning can therefore reduce the colour more quickly, particularly if you use firm pressure or repeatedly pass the razor over the same area.
Use a clean, sharp razor and avoid shaving irritated or broken skin. If you regularly experience shaving rash, allow extra time for your skin to calm before tanning.
Waxing and shaving provide different results, so the right choice is personal. Waxing removes the hair from the root and generally lasts longer. Shaving cuts it at skin level and can be done more frequently.
If you are preparing for a trip, our guide explains how long before a holiday you should wax.
When should you exfoliate?
Exfoliate before the tanning appointment, but plan it carefully around your wax.
If you are waxing, gently exfoliate a day or two before the waxing appointment rather than scrubbing freshly waxed skin. Once waxed, give the skin time to recover and avoid harsh exfoliation before the tan.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends exfoliating before applying self-tanner, paying particular attention to thicker areas such as the elbows, knees and ankles. These areas can absorb more colour and appear darker if they are not prepared evenly.
A practical schedule is:
Three days before tanning
Gently exfoliate the areas you plan to wax, provided your skin tolerates exfoliation.
One or two days before tanning
Have your waxing treatment and follow the aftercare instructions.
On the day of tanning
Shower as advised, dry the skin thoroughly and avoid applying products that could create a barrier.
Do not exfoliate immediately before the spray tan if your skin has only just recovered from waxing. More exfoliation is not always better. Overworked skin can become dry, sensitive and uneven.
What should you avoid on the day of a spray tan?
Arrive with clean, dry skin unless your therapist advises otherwise.
Avoid applying:
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Body moisturiser
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Body oils
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Deodorant
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Perfume
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Make-up on areas being sprayed
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Other tanning products
These products may form a barrier or react with the tanning solution, affecting how evenly the colour develops.
Pay particular attention to deodorant. Product remaining under the arms can sometimes interact with tanning solution and temporarily affect the colour.
Wear loose, dark clothing and comfortable footwear to the appointment. Tight waistbands, bras, socks or shoes may rub the solution before it has developed.
Therapy provides tailored spray tans within its wider range of body and beauty treatments in Canterbury.
How long does a spray tan take to develop?
Most professional spray tans take several hours to develop. Therapy’s St Tropez tans generally develop within six to eight hours, although your therapist will confirm the correct timing for the particular product and finish selected.
During the development period:
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Avoid showering until the advised time
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Avoid swimming
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Avoid exercise and perspiration
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Keep the skin dry
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Wear loose, dark clothing
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Avoid rubbing or touching the skin unnecessarily
When it is time for the first rinse, follow the exact instructions given by your therapist. Washing too early can affect the depth and evenness of the result.
The guide colour that rinses away may look darker than the final developed tan. Do not assume all the colour has disappeared immediately after showering.
How should you plan waxing and tanning before a holiday?
Try to plan both treatments backwards from your departure date.
A useful schedule is:
Three or four days before departure
Have your waxing treatment. This provides enough time for most temporary sensitivity to settle.
One or two days before departure
Have your spray tan. This allows the initial development and first rinse to happen before you travel.
On the day of travel
Wear comfortable clothing and continue following the tan aftercare. Avoid long, very hot showers and pat the skin dry rather than rubbing vigorously.
This schedule is a guide rather than an unbreakable rule. If you know that your skin remains red for several days after waxing, arrange the appointment earlier. If you are new to either treatment, avoid testing both immediately before an important event.
How can you make a spray tan last longer?
Once the tan has developed and you have completed the first rinse, consistent aftercare can help it fade more evenly.
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Moisturise daily with a suitable product
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Avoid long, very hot baths and showers
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Pat the skin dry instead of rubbing
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Avoid exfoliating until you are ready for the tan to fade
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Do not wax over the developed colour
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Be aware that swimming may shorten its life
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Avoid picking at dry or flaking skin
A spray tan commonly lasts around five to seven days, but longevity varies with your skin, bathing routine, activity and aftercare.
Waxing during this period is likely to remove colour. If hair removal is essential, remember that shaving can also fade the tan more quickly.
Does fake tan protect your skin from the sun?
No. A spray tan or self-tan gives the appearance of tanned skin, but it should not be treated as sun protection.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even when self-tanner has been applied.
Continue to protect your skin using appropriate sunscreen, shade and clothing. A cosmetic tan does not make prolonged sun exposure safe.
Can you tan if your skin is irritated after waxing?
Do not apply spray tan or self-tan to skin that is broken, inflamed or significantly irritated.
A little temporary redness after waxing can be normal, but the skin should be allowed to settle. If redness or swelling persists, becomes painful or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
Tell your tanning therapist if you have:
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Eczema, psoriasis or another active skin condition
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Broken or recently sunburnt skin
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A previous reaction to tanning products
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Unexplained irritation or a rash
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Recently used a strong exfoliating treatment
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Any uncertainty about whether the treatment is suitable
A beauty therapist can discuss the cosmetic treatment, but cannot diagnose a medical skin condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24 hours long enough between waxing and tanning?
For many people, 24 hours is the minimum sensible gap. If your skin remains red or sensitive, wait 48 hours or until it has fully settled.
Can I wax and spray tan on the same day?
It is better not to. Same-day appointments do not give the skin enough time to settle and may increase the chance of visible dots, irritation or an uneven finish.
Can I tan first and wax the next day?
Waxing the next day is likely to remove colour from the treated areas. Wax first, allow the skin to settle, then tan.
Should I wax before or after using self-tan at home?
Wax before using self-tan at home. The same principles apply as with a professional spray tan. Leave at least 24 hours, and longer if your skin is still sensitive.
How many days before a spray tan should I wax?
One to two days before the tan is appropriate for many clients. Allow more time if it is your first wax or your skin commonly reacts.
Should I moisturise after waxing but before tanning?
Follow the aftercare provided after your wax. Moisturising may help soothe suitable skin, but rich product residue should not be present when the spray tan is applied. On the day of the tan, arrive without body moisturiser unless your therapist instructs you differently.
Should I wax before or after a natural suntan?
Wax before planned sun exposure and give the skin time to settle. Therapy recommends avoiding sun exposure for at least 24 hours after waxing. Never wax sunburnt or significantly irritated skin.
Book waxing and spray tanning in Canterbury
For the smoothest and most even result, book waxing first and allow at least 24 to 48 hours before your spray tan.
Therapy Hair Body & Nails provides professional Lycon waxing and tailored St Tropez spray tans in a calm, private salon at 21 Burgate in Canterbury. Our therapists can help you arrange both appointments in the right order for a holiday, wedding or special occasion.
Explore waxing at Therapy, learn about our professional spray tans or contact the salon for guidance before booking.
